AMES, Ia. — It wasn't easy for Cameron Lard to watch when the Iowa State men's basketball team's lack of size in the front court was exposed at times last season.

Lard knew he could have helped.

The redshirt freshman is finally ready to provide the post presence and rim protection the Cyclones need this season.

"We were really lacking size last year, so I kind of felt like I could have been out there helping them, contributing to the team," Lard said. "I went through what I had to go through, and I'm here now."

It was quite the journey for Lard, who didn't arrive in Ames until last January and redshirted his first season with the Cyclones. Lard played his junior season at Natchitoches Central in Louisiana and then transferred to Landry-Walker High School for his senior season. He was ruled ineligible due to Louisiana transfer rules.

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So Lard moved to Pro-Vision Academy in Texas, where he averaged 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in seven games. Lard stayed there for the start of the 2016-17 season after he was ruled an academic non-qualifier by the NCAA. He didn't get to Iowa State until he'd finished his core GPA classes and was ruled eligible by the NCAA.

Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said that, by then, the Cyclones were off and running with their season and couldn't slow down for Lard. The focus for Lard was getting his academics in order and getting adjusted to college life.

"We really didn't get invested in Cameron really until the summer," Prohm said. "But I think he's made great strides. This summer, this fall — he's been really good."

Now, Prohm is hoping he could help provide the Cyclones with some of the size they were missing last season. With so many key scorers from a season ago now gone, things like defense and rebounding will take on a whole other level of importance.

Lard can help with both areas.

"I don't think we had a rim protector for the most part," Prohm said. "I think Cameron Lard's done a great job of offensive rebounding — of protecting the rim."

That's a part of the game that Lard takes pride in. Grabbing rebounds and blocking shots may not get all the attention, but it's something Lard said he enjoys doing.

"Anything around the rim, I feel like that's on me," Lard said. "If they are getting easy layups and I'm in the game, then I feel like that's all on me."

While Lard has been on campus more than the rest of Iowa State's freshmen class, Prohm still sees him like the rest of the group. Prohm said all freshmen must deal with a learning curve and must learn how to play hard every play in practice — and that Lard is no different.

But Lard is invested in the process. While Prohm answered questions during Iowa State's annual media day Tuesday, he said Lard was meeting with assistant coach William Small and watching tape.

"I'm really excited," Prohm said. "I think he's got a chance to really do some good things once he gets up to speed and learns all the nuances that you have to know at this level."

Jackson ready for new role

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The senior guard's been putting in extra time.
Tommy Birch / The Register

Iowa State's top four scorers from a season ago — Monte Morris, Naz Mitrou-Long, Deonte Burton and Matt Thomas — have all graduated. Next in line: Donovan Jackson.

Jackson averaged 12.3 points per game last season and is one of the few known commodities on Iowa State's young and fresh-faced roster.

One of the most important factors this season for the Cyclones will be finding ways to utilize the guard who has played off the ball but also run the point.

"The best thing Donovan does, without a doubt: He's as good of a shooter as there is in college basketball," Prohm said. "So we've got to make sure we're getting him really good shots — whether that's putting him off the ball at times or that's putting him in ball screen situations or getting him out in transition."

That means Jackson will be taking on a new but familiar role this season. The senior was a star at Iowa Western Community College and was expected to take over the point guard position for the Cyclones. But he was relegated to a role-player off the bench after Morris decided to return for his senior season.

Jackson was also slowed by a broken wrist he suffered before he got to Ames and the Cyclones even contemplated redshirting him. Prohm is now leaning on Jackson this season. And it's not something Jackson takes lightly. Jackson said he's often at the practice facility by 7:30 a.m. and doesn't leave until he makes 300 to 400 shots.

"I've been waiting on this moment since I committed here," Jackson said. "So I'm ready to fulfill this role."

NCAA Tournament hopes

Iowa State has been to the NCAA Tournament six straight seasons. Getting back for a seventh-straight won't be an easy task.

The Cyclones' roster includes true freshmen Lindell Wigginton and Terrence Lewis, who are expected to play significant roles this season, and transfers Zoran Talley Jr., Hans Brase and Jeff Beverly, who are eligible to play right away.

Despite all of the challenges facing Iowa State, the goal is still the same: Get back to the NCAA Tournament.

"I don't want to put expectations on them, but if that's not our goal, then I'm cheating them," Prohm said. "That's our goal, and hopefully, we can continue to work and meet that goal at the end of the year."

Getting to 80

The magic number for the Cyclones this season: 80. Iowa State averaged 80.8 points per game last season and 81.8 points the season before.

"80's the goal," Prohm said. "It'll always be the goal."

It won't be easy, given the Cyclones lost their top four scorers from a season ago. Even Prohm said he doesn't know if the team can reach it. If they don't, he said the Cyclones will have to improve in other areas — like rebounding, something the Cyclones struggled with last season.

"If it doesn't get to 80 — if it gets to 75 — then you've got to shore up those other areas," Prohm said.